public lands
Saturday, May 19, 2012
public lands 250 Acres of Boise Foothills Purchased by Ada County
Posted by Andrew Crisp on Sat, May 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Ada County purchased 250 acres of Boise Foothills land for $240,000, a figure significantly below market price. The Dry Creek Valley property, commonly referred to as Red Hawk Estates, was purchased during a public foreclosure auction earlier this month.
Ada County denied the Red Hawk Estates developer an extension to develop the land, and the developer countered with a lawsuit. The Idaho Supreme Court ruled the suit frivolous and ordered the developer to pay the county's legal fees.
After not receiving payment, the county placed a lien against the property, which eventually ended up in foreclosure with more than $1 million owed to the bank.
According to the county, purchasing the land was desirable to protect its financial interest. Money from a successful private bidder would go to the bank and not the county. Ada County suggests the parcel could connect to the Ridge to Rivers trail system or remain as open space.
Critics called the move a violation of protocol. The county responded in a May 18 release:
The suggestion that the county violated the legal requirement of Idaho Code 31-807 to obtain an appraisal prior to the purchase is not true. Commissioners did consult with the Ada County Assessor’s Office. All of the assessor’s employees work under the supervision of a licensed Idaho appraiser. The Assessor’s Office reported that the land is estimated to be worth between $1,000 and $5,000 per acre.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
public lands City, State and Citizens React to Hammer Flat Sale
Posted by Andrew Crisp on Tue, Dec 20, 2011 at 3:14 PM
The Boise City Council voted unanimously today to approve the sale of more than 700 acres of land to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Hammer Flat was purchased by the City of Boise with funds from the Foothills levy coffer, and when it changes hands on Dec. 31, $4 million-plus will replenish the same.
In an official statement, the IDFG applauded the actions of the council, stating that the real winners today were southwest Idaho's populations of deer, elk and antelope. They quoted F&G director Virgil Moore as saying: "Hammer Flat's purpose is to provide critical wildlife habitat and wildlife-based recreation opportunities, including hunting and wildlife viewing."
Public use has been a concern since the beginning, leading to discourse in today's council meeting, and related comments from all parties concerned. Hang-gliding enthusiasts have voiced numerous concerns about use of the property.
"We are willing to consider other outdoor recreational activities, including hang gliding," Moore added.
James Hall of Boise's Department of Parks and Recreation said he thought the process went well.
public lands City Council Unanimously Sells Hammer Flat to Fish and Game
Posted by George Prentice on Tue, Dec 20, 2011 at 3:07 PM
The Boise City Council unanimously approved the sale of Hammer Flat to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game today, but not before a few council members strongly suggested that paragliders once again have access to the pristine plateau in the city's Foothills.
"You folks could stand out as heroes," Council Member Alan Shealy told Fish and Game. "I think it's time to make a dispassionate decision."
The paragliding community had pushed back against Fish and Game's policy not to allow any kind of recreational aircraft over its wildlife management areas.
"I love to look up there and see gliders," said Shealy. "When the scientific evidence comes in, I'm hoping there will be some bending of the will to allow them to continue gliding."
But Council Member David Eberle had harsh words for some in the paragliding community, who had voiced strong opinions.
"I hope you drop your rhetoric," said Eberle. "It debases you and your constituency."
Council members Elaine Clegg and T.J. Thomson expressed strong desires for gliders to work with Fish and Game in crafting a management policy for Hammer Flat.
"I've learned just how unique Hammer Flat is to the gliding community," said Clegg. "We need to protect this special opportunity, if it's appropriate."
Thomson voiced the strongest support for gliders.
"To eliminate this sport permanently would be a travesty," said Thomson. "Having said that, to vote no on this sale would be similar to throwing the baby out with the bath water."
Ultimately, the vote was unanimous to sell the 705 acres to Fish and Game for $4.23 million, effective Saturday, Dec. 31.
"It's a win-win for all of us," said Council President Maryann Jordan. "I look forward to working with Fish and Game on a management plan."
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
public lands Huge Idaho Land Swap Being Considered This Week
Posted by George Prentice on Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Central Idahoans are doing their due diligence this week on one of the largest proposed Gem State land swaps in recent memory. The proposed plan would trade approximately 40,000 acres in the Upper Lochsa River Basin, currently owned by Western Pacific Timber, for a select number of parcels of U.S. Forest Service land, all in Idaho County.
The Forest Service has indicated that it covets the land in the upper Lochsa region for wildlife managment. In return, they're proposing to swap land bordering the Fish Creek camping and skiing area seven miles south of Grangeville, in addition to other select parcels. Western Pacific has promised to honor current grazing leases on the Forest Service land, but opponents argued that the timber company could raise fees to ranchers in the future, driving them out of business.
The plan is getting the once-over from citizens at workshops in Riggins and Grangeville this week. According to the Lewiston Tribune, almost all of those attending thus far are against any kind of trade.
The comment period on the proposal ends in mid-January.
You can see a map of the proposed Upper Lochsa Land Exchange here.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
owyhees / public lands Public Lands bills fail 2/3 vote
Posted by Nathaniel Hoffman on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 failed a house vote today, killing more than 2 million acres of wilderness in nine states, including the Owyhee Canyonlands in Idaho.
The House voted on the bill under suspension of rules, in order to stave off amendments and avoid its return to the Senate where it faced further hurdles. That required a two-thirds vote. House Democratic leaders could try for another suspension vote or could bring the bill back through the normal legislative process.
“Although I am disappointed, today’s action shows that there are more than enough votes for this bill to pass the House under normal rules. I urge House leadership to put this bill back on the floor as quickly as possible, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting, reflecting and representing the collaborative work represented in this bill,” Minnick stated in a release.
Minnick's floor speech:
Mr Speaker I rise today in support of the Public Lands Management Act.
Teddy Roosevelt once spoke of his fondness for the out of doors when he said, "there are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm."
This legislation contains a protection for a number of America’s public lands and in particular, for a treasured place back in my home of Idaho called the Owyhee Canyonlands.
Last summer, I had the privilege of spending a week floating the river which created the area this bill will protect. We saw redband trout in the pristine rapids, camped along the lush river banks, climbed up the rocky canyon walls to see bighorn sheep, and stood at the top looking at a rich desert plateau of sage grouse, antelope and bald eagles.
If passed, this bill will permanently protect as wilderness 517,000 beautiful acres in the southwestern corner of my home state’s landscape and would provide wild and scenic status to nearly 315 miles of rivers. It will also guarantee that the ranching families who have protected this land for generations will continue on, with their grazing rights protected.
None of that would be possible without the hard work of my friend and colleague in the Senate, Mike Crapo, who fostered a collaborative process of ranchers, public officials, community leaders and conservationists to preserve our cherished Owyhees.
Many of these provisions in this bill have been waiting on Congressional action for years and are supported by Members from across the political spectrum. I urge you to join us today in supporting this historic legislation.
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